Why Conflict Is Essential – In Advertising and Life
We demand conflict, tension, and drama — be it in sports, books, movies, or advertising.
All Hands on Deck: Captain Nemo’s Story Guide to Recruitment Videos
How to craft a memorable sea shanty that beckons brave adventurers to the Nautilus.
A Marketing Lesson, With Love From Gaston
Spoiler Alert… Gaston doesn’t get the girl, and you likely won’t get the customer if you take his same approach.
Are you overlooking something that’s holding you back? How my “aha!” moment could help.
I crooned: “Why didn’t I find her 30 years ago?”
What’s Your Ad Campaign’s Meta-Narrative?
Is the story of Rocky really about boxing? Or is it about an underdog’s epic journey? Great ads are like that too.
Good Things Come in Threes – Strategy, Message, and Budget
Without a well-structured strategy, owners often end up bobbing in the water with no landmarks in any direction.
The Straight Dope On Dirty Sales: A Wiseguy’s Guide To The Scams, Cons, And Sleaze Of Unethical Selling
A warning for the s*** you should never pull.
What Kids Can Teach You About Story Persuasion
There’s a REASON why for every conflict we always want to know “who started it?”
The Smile Above the Toilet
We have a couple of meaningful plaques in our chapel telling the story of our bells - but where else? Where does almost everyone go at least once?
How to Increase Brand Loyalty
Bill and three of my closest friends joined a cult and disappeared from my life. You might be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with marketing?”
Temporal Stresses in Marketing: Achieving Long-Term Success
We’re constantly bombarded with information and stimuli, and it’s easy to get caught up in the present moment.
Don’t Stop Pushing the Car: Effective Marketing When Times are Lean
Having worked with many, many business owners, the default is always panic.
The Common-Sense Mistake Sabotaging Your Ads
Are your ads aimed at winning the type of buying decision that your customers are actually making?
Business as Romance: The Art and Science of Winning Customer’s Hearts
"In the absence of an emotional connection, people always choose the lowest price."
The 2nd Worst Time to Introduce Yourself to a Customer
By then — absent extraordinary sales skill — it’s too late to build preference and make a high value sale.